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On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation Rosoboronexport State Corporation signed a contract on supply of air defence systems to Iran.
Negotiations on this subject had been going on for four years.
Delivery of the air defence systems is planned to be completed by 2009.
The nomenclature and cost of the contract is a commercial secret.
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U.S. Opposes Russian Missile Sale to Iran
The United States says it opposes Russia`s plan to sell some $1 billion worth of missile systems and other arms to Iran, saying the deal will not serve U.S. or regional interests.
State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said U.S. officials are planning to discuss American objections to the sale with their Russian counterparts.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov confirmed on 5 December that Moscow had signed a deal with Tehran for the delivery to Iran of arms including short-range surface-to-air Tor-M1 missile systems, which are capable of shooting down both aircraft and incoming missiles at low altitudes.
Ivanov called the systems defensive weaponry and said they will not change the balance of forces in the region.
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Russia Defends Missile Sale to Iran
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov today defended his country`s decision to provide Iran with sophisticated missile defense systems.
Ivanov said the sale of the Tor-M1 missile systems to Iran did not violate international law and would not upset the balance of power in the Middle East.
Russian media reported last week that Iran had agreed to purchase close to 30 mobile air defense systems from Russia in a contract worth more than $700 million.
Israel yesterday criticized the sale, saying it serves the interests of the "most negative elements" in the Middle East. Israel considers Iran the biggest threat to its security in the region.
Tor-M1 missiles are short-range, surface-to-air missiles capable of shooting down both missiles and aircraft. |
